Who can get cholera?

Infants and young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with chronic illness may have less reserve when fluid is lost. A person who cannot drink, is vomiting repeatedly, or is already dehydrated needs rapid clinical assessment. Household members should use careful hand hygiene and safe water while illness is being assessed.

Begin frequent sips of safe fluids if diarrhoea starts, and follow local medical advice rather than waiting for weakness to become severe. Oral Rehydration Therapy is designed to replace water and salts lost through diarrhoea. Keep food preparation separate, clean shared toilet surfaces, and wash hands with soap after toileting.

Get urgent care for very watery diarrhoea, inability to keep fluids down, intense thirst, dry mouth, little or dark urine, dizziness, fainting, confusion, or unusual drowsiness. A child who is difficult to wake or cannot drink needs immediate attention. Severe dehydration may need IV Fluid Therapy and monitoring.

Ask how your symptoms fit cholera or another infection, how much fluid to take, how to protect household contacts, and where urgent treatment is available.